Seed-planter.



No. 671,056. Patented-Aar. V2, mul.

M. L. NICHOLS. SEED PLANTER.

4 (Application led Oct. 29, 1900.: (Nu Model.) `2 Sheets-Sheet I.

g` lv e i 5,17

1u: mums Pneus cof. worouwq. WASHINGTON, o. cA

No. 67|,o56 Patented Apr. 2, mol.`

M. L. lN ncHoLs.

SEED PLNTER.

` (Application med on. 29, woo.;

.(No Model.) `2 shuts- Sheet 2.

EW Eg. 6

l a l l I Tm: rmmus creas oo, PnoTo-uwo, wAsumaroN, n. c.

MARION L. NICHOLS, OF WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

SEED-PLANTER.

i SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 671,056, dated April2, 1901.

Application tiled October 29,1900. Serial No. 34,704. (No model.)

T0 all whom, it muy concern:

Beit known that I, MARION L. NICHOLS, of Westfield, county of Union,State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Seed- Planter, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in seed-planters, the object beingto provide an improved construction of the same to secure absoluteuniformity and accuracy of measu rement of the seed to be droppedirrespective of the speed of operation of the device; and it consists inthe features of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure1 is a vertical central section of the device Yin the plane of theagitator and tripping'shaft. Fig. 2 is a similar section at right anglesto that in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan View. Fig. 4 is an inverted planview with the spout or deliverychute removed. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 arerespectively a vertical section, plan, and inverted plan viewscorresponding to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, but with a modifiedconstruction of dropper; and Fig. 9 is a detail of a modified Y form ofagitator.

In the drawings, A represents the hopper, having the converging sides 2,3, 4, and 5. Journaled transversely in the bottom of the hopper is theshaft 6. Mounted upon this shaft within the hopper is the spiralagitator 7 for working in the seed. Upon the shaft outside of the hopperis mounted a star-Wheel 8, which serves totrip the'dropper B. Thepreferred construction of the dropperis shown in Figs. 1 to 4,inclusive, and consists of a lever 9, having pivotal support 10 and aretracting spring 11, the free end 12 of the leverA extending intoposition to be engaged by the arms of the star-wheel 8. The lever has aU shaped holder or guide 13, into which is removably fitted apocket-plate consisting of a slide 14, having an opening 15therethrough, serving as the pocket. The thickness of the slide and thediameter of the pocket 15 determine the quantity of seed to be measuredand dropped with each action of the device. Interchangeabledropper-slides 14 are provided of varying thicknesses, having pockets ofdifferent diameters adapted for the Various kinds 0f seeds which areintended to be used in the machine. Offset from the opening 1G in thebottom of the hopper is a delivery chute or spout 17, so positioned thatthe dropper in the oscillation caused by the engagement of theStar-wheel S in its rotation will carry the pocket l5 of the dropperaway from the hopper-opening 16 into registering position with the chuteto discharge the contained seeds thereinto. In order to secure accuratefilling of the pocket 15, a brush 1S is arranged in its path ofmovement, so as to sweep off from the same all grain lying above the topot' the slide. Underneath the slide, servingas a bottom for the pocketwhen the dropper is in position to receive the grain,l is a disk 19,mounted on a set-screw 20. The screw serves to adjust the disk 19 andbring it closely into contact with the bottom of the slide, the positionof the disk being varied accordingto i he thicknessof theslide used. Iiithe modified construction shown in Figs. 5 to S, inclusive, I substitutefor the dropper BamodilieddropperO. This consists ofadisk 21, serving asa pocketplate, having pivotal support 22, preferably the tip of thescrew engaging a spideror frame 23, as shown best in Fig. 6. This diskis provided with a series of pockets 24 and with peripheral radial arms25, rotating in the path of rotation of the star-wheel 8, so as to besuccessively tripped thereby and moved on its pivot step by step, thearms 25 being of the same number as and so positioned with reference tothe pockets 24 that each step in the operation of the machine Will carryone ot' the pockets into registering position with the chute 17: Themovable disk 19 serves as a closure for the bottom of the openings 24and is adjustable to different thicknesses of disks in the same manneras the adjustment is' arranged in Figs. 1 to 4. The spiral agitator 7,as shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, may be of wood or metal or anyother rigid material. In some cases, however, I prefer an elastic rib orspiral upon the shaft, such as brushes of bristle or other elasticmaterial 26, as shown in Fig. 9.

The operation of the device is apparent from the drawings and theforegoing description. The shaft 6 is turned by engagement with properdriving mechanism common to machines of this character, the speed ofrotation of the shaft being adjusted to the Work IOO to be performed. Asthe machine is moved over the ground the star-Wheel 8 successively tripsthe lever 9 or the disk 21, carrying the 'measuring-pocket from thebottom of the the bottom of the pocket. Some seeds used in j suchmachines are liable to become packed in the hopper unless stirred, andfor this pu rpose the agitator 7 is employed, so that the seeds are allthe time being changed in position, and the delivery to and filling ofthe dropper-pocket are positive.

I claim l. In a seed-planter having interchangeable pocket-plates ofvarying thicknesses, an adjustable disk or plate for closing the bottomof the pockets while in registering position with the hopper.

2. In a seed-planter having a hopper and oifset delivery-chute,interchangeable pocketplates of varying thicknesses, and an adjustableclosure for the bottom of the 'pockets its hopper and offsetdelivery-chute, of a pocket-plate arranged intermediate said hopper andchute, an adjustable disk for closing the bottom of the pocket whilestanding beneath the hopper, means for` sweeping o the surplus seedprojecting above the.top of the pocket, and step-by-step means forturning or reciprocating said plate so as to receive seed from thehopper into its pocket and discharge the same therefrom into the chute.

4. In a seed-planter having a hopper and offset delivering-chute, aseed-dropper arranged intermediate said hopper and chute,

comprising in combination a pivoted springl controlled lever, aremovable poeketplate carried by said lever,having an openingtherethrough constituting the pocket, an adjustable closure for thebottom of said pocket, and step-by-step means for turning said leveragainst the tension o'f its spring so as to carry said pocket fromregistering position with the hopper to registering position with thechute.

5. In a seed-planter, in combination with it-s hopper and an oifsetdelivery-chute, an intermediately-disposed pivoted lever,interchangeable plates itted to said lever, each provided with anopening therethrough serving as a seed-measuring pocket, an adjustableclosure-plate for the bottom of said pocket while the same is standingbeneath the hopper, a restraining-spring for said le- Ver, and astep-by-step attachment for engaging said lever to turn it against thetension of said spring, the parts being of such dimen- Ysions and sodisposed that said spring tends to hold said measuring-pocket inregistering l position with the hopper, while the step-bystep mechanismcarries the same to registering position with the chute, substantiallyas and for the purposes speciiied.

6. In a seed-planter having a hopper and I an oset deliverychute, thecombination While in registering position with the hopper. 3. In aseed-planter, the combination with therewith of a pocket-plate, meansfor moving said plate causing it to alternately register with the hopperand the chute, an adjustable closure for the bottom of the pocket whilein registering position with the hopper, and a feeding and stirringdevice arranged in said hopper, comprising a rotatable shaft with aspiral flange, exposed throughout its intermediate length to the mass ofseed in the hopper.

Signed at New York city, New York, this 25th day of October, 1900.

MARION L. NICHOLS.

Witnesses:

T. D. MERWIN, FRANK S. GANNON, Jr.

